World Architecture Festival: Shortlist for 2016 awards revealed

November 30,-0001 00:00

RELATED: A closer look at the World Building of the Year. Each entry will seek to win one of 32 award categories before going on to challenge for the most high profile WAF accolades of "World Building of the Year" and "Future Building of the Year".and more »

Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2014 World Building of the Year winner: The Chapel by a21 Studio, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam â€“ Designed by local architecture firm a21 studio, the Chapel in Vietnam is a community space primarily built of recycled material. The chapel uses leftover materials (such as steel frames and metal sheets) from the owner's previous projects. Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2014 World Building of the Year winner: The Chapel by a21 Studio, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam â€“ It features colorful curtains for aesthetic appeal as well as a single structure on the inside -- a tree-shaped steel column, for support as well as aesthetic. Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2013 World Building of the Year winner: Auckland Art Gallery by Frances-Jones Morehen Thorp, Auckland, New Zealand â€“ The Auckland Art Gallery is a combination of adapting the art galleries' existing heritage buildings as well as the introduction of new extensions, including a basement storage, public exhibit areas and a new entrance. Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2013 World Building of the Year winner: Auckland Art Gallery by Frances-Jones Morehen Thorp, Auckland, New Zealand â€“ The new additions to the building include the wooden rooftop panels and wooden supporting canopies, all of which are inspired by the natural New Zealand landscape. Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2012 World Building of the Year winner: Cooled Conservatories at Gardens by the Bay by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Singapore â€“ Based in Singapore, the Cooled Conservatories is a project by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, and features two structures that are two of the largest climate controlled glasshouses in the world. Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2012 World Building of the Year winner: Cooled Conservatories at Gardens by the Bay by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Singapore â€“ The two climates contained are the "Flower Dome," which features a cool dry environment, and the "Cloud Forest," which features a cool and moist environment. The structure covers an area of over 20,000 square meters and features an indoor waterfall. Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2010 World Building of the Year winner: MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts by Zaha Hadid Architects, Rome, Italy â€“ The first national museum of contemporary art in Italy, the MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts was conceived and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The structure received a unanimous winning vote from the judges, who were particularly impressed by its ability to weave itself into the city. Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2010 World Building of the Year winner: MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts by Zaha Hadid Architects, Rome, Italy â€“ The building is built on the former military grounds in northern Rome. Highlights from the concrete heavy building include its use of natural light, glass ceilings, large windows and open spaces. Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2009 World Building of the Year winner: Mapungubwe Interpretation Center by Peter Rich Architects, South Africa â€“ Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre is a cultural building designed to host ancient South African artifacts. Described as a "poverty relief project using ecological methods and materials" the architects sourced local materials (such as local pressed soil cement tiles) for building and turned to local labor forces for construction in an effort to help the community. Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2009 World Building of the Year winner: Mapungubwe Interpretation Center by Peter Rich Architects, South Africa â€“ The structure also took design inspiration from its surrounding "complex landscape" -- an effort which the judges also noted to be particularly well executed. Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre was selected from a total of 15 finalists. Upon winning the award, architect Peter Rich said, "I will continue my quest to be of service to the less privileged, because they deserve it." Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2008 World Building of the Year winner: Universita Luigi Bocconi by Grafton Architects, Milan, Italy â€“ The first ever World Architecture Festival was held in 2008. The winners of the first ever 'Building of the Year' award was Grafton Architects, an Irish practice, who received the top prize for their Universita Luigi Bocconi in Milan. Photos: What does it take to become the World Building of the Year? 2008 World Building of the Year winner: Universita Luigi Bocconi by Grafton Architects, Milan, Italy â€“ It has been highlighted for its 1,000-seat auditorium, public courtyards and suspended offices, which is described by the architects as "offices hung from enormous roof beams." This entry took the prize over 17 finalists, including 'starchitects' such as Zaha Hadid and Foster and Partners.